Champions League qualifying draw: Gornik Zabrze, July 21–22
Your European season starts in three weeks. Fenerbahçe face Polish side Gornik Zabrze in the Champions League qualifier, scheduled for July 21–22 (6) (7). The tie is at home, and the stakes are massive, a place in the next qualifying round and the money that comes with it.
And now there is a striker problem.
Muriqi injured, Guirassy chase goes into overdrive
Vedat Muriqi has picked up a sudden injury and missed training (1) (10). The timing could not be worse. Muriqi was only just added to the Fenerbahçe squad on Transfermarkt as of July 1 (4), and now the club is scrambling.
Get the next Fenerbahçe S.K. brief by email
This article went out to subscribers as a brief. Get the next one straight to your inbox, free.
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
The response has been immediate. Fenerbahçe have accelerated talks for Serhou Guirassy, the forward they were already tracking (7). President Aziz Yıldırım is pushing hard to get the deal done before the Gornik Zabrze match (6) (7). No agreement yet, but the urgency has shifted from "summer target" to "we need him now."
Talisca and Asensio train, Muriqi sits out
There is some good news from camp. Talisca, who had been dealing with his own injury issue, trained with the squad (3) (10). Marco Asensio was also part of the session (10). Muriqi was the notable absence.
UEFA fine hits the club
UEFA have fined Fenerbahçe for breaching squad cost rules (5). The exact amount has not been disclosed, but it is another financial squeeze for a club already pushing hard in the transfer market.
Emre Mor moves on
Emre Mor has left Fenerbahçe after his contract expired and has already joined a new club, he has started training with them (9). A clean break, no drama.
Hull City circling for a Fenerbahçe star
Hull City have registered interest in an unnamed Fenerbahçe player, with the Championship side reportedly willing to cover the salary (8). The identity of the player has not been confirmed. One to watch.
